The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Head [Repeat x8]
You can't argue with death
Can't break a burly sailor's neck
You can't drink lava from plastic glasses
And you can' t influence the masses
You can't tune a radio to heaven
You can't live seven lives
You can't win money at the horses
And you can't fight the armed forces
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's got to bed
Head [Repeat x4]
You can't feed the hungry
Can't talk Shakespeare to a monkey
You can't stand the bomb
And there's no way to stay calm
You can't sue Buddha for libel
You can't rewrite the Bible
You can't hit homers like Babe Ruth
And can't put your finger on the truth
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's got to bed
Oh, ah
And you can't influence
And you can't influence
And you can't influence
Mmm, let's go to bed
You can't sing underwater
You can't have the boss' daughter
You can't make missiles out of mud
You can't purify bad blood
You can't feed the hungry
You can't pretend to have fun
You can't read a robot's mind
And you can't expect vultures to be kind
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's go to bed
Let's go to bed
Ooh let's go to bed
Head [Repeat]
You can't argue with death
Can't break a burly sailor's neck
You can't drink lava from plastic glasses
And you can' t influence the masses
You can't tune a radio to heaven
You can't live seven lives
You can't win money at the horses
And you can't fight the armed forces
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's got to bed
Head [Repeat x4]
You can't feed the hungry
Can't talk Shakespeare to a monkey
You can't stand the bomb
And there's no way to stay calm
You can't sue Buddha for libel
You can't rewrite the Bible
You can't hit homers like Babe Ruth
And can't put your finger on the truth
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's got to bed
Oh, ah
And you can't influence
And you can't influence
And you can't influence
Mmm, let's go to bed
You can't sing underwater
You can't have the boss' daughter
You can't make missiles out of mud
You can't purify bad blood
You can't feed the hungry
You can't pretend to have fun
You can't read a robot's mind
And you can't expect vultures to be kind
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Shake your head
Let's go to bed
Let's go to bed
Ooh let's go to bed
Head [Repeat]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Shake Your Head Lyrics as written by Don Edward Fagenson David Was
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.